Free The Irish Duke by Virginia Henley

“I knew you wouldn’t forget Georgy’s birthday. We’re celebrating our birthdays together and having an impromptu ball tomorrow night.”
    “Good, a party is just what I need after those long hours in Parliament.” The dinner gong sounded and Johnny linked arms with Georgina and Beth and escorted the two ladies to the Van Dyke dining room. Before they arrived, a covey of males emerged from the gun room.
    “Johnny! I told Abercorn you’d be visiting us shortly. I know I sent you congratulations on getting the Irish Catholic emancipation bill passed, but now I have the pleasure of praising your accomplishment in person.” The duke embraced his son warmly, and then everyone fell into step behind the pair as they entered the dining room.
    Informality reigned as Lord John was greeted by his brothers and their guests.
    “This is James Hamilton, Marquis of Abercorn, and a true champion of Ireland. Why don’t you sit between us, Johnny, and fill us in on all the details?”
    Louisa knew it was a foregone conclusion that before the meal was over, Johnny and Abercorn would become fast friends. All they have in common is a love of Ireland. They don’t know anything else about each other. Every male in the room, save Abercorn, was a staunch Whig. She cleared her throat and spoke to Johnny. “Are you aware that James Hamilton is a Tory ?”
    The two men looked at each other and then threw back their heads in laughter.
    “Lu, surely you know I have built my reputation on bipartisan-ship?” Johnny asked.
    The Duchess of Bedford declared, “My mother, Jane Gordon, was the leading Tory hostess, but she had no objections to my marrying into one of the leading Whig families. Fortunately, there is nothing illegal about cohabiting.”
    Everyone at table thought the racy rejoinder was hilarious. Everyone except Louisa, of course.
    The duke spoke up. “The Duke of Wellington has often visited Woburn since he became prime minister. At the moment, I fully support his Tory government.”
    “Now that the emancipation bill has been signed, I’m once again campaigning in the Commons for parliamentary reform,” Johnny announced. “So far, however, my efforts to introduce a bill to reduce election bribery have been unsuccessful.”
    “It’s unconscionable that small boroughs owned by wealthy land-owners have the right to elect more Members of Parliament than large industrial towns like Birmingham and Manchester,” Abercorn commiserated.
    “At the risk of being thought radicals, we have all supported a change to the voting system for years,” Lord Holland declared.
    “Without reform, we run the risk of a revolution in Britain, like the one in Europe,” Earl Grey warned.
    Bessy gasped. “Oh please, let us not speak of revolution. It’s the reason we had to leave Europe.”
    Johnny smiled at his brother’s wife. “You’ll be quite safe in Mayfair, Bessy. Your townhouse is in the same general area as Russell Square. You’ll be neighbors of our brother Francis and his wife.”
    “Yes, I correspond with Anna Maria.” Bessy looked puzzled. “Don’t you also reside at the Russell Square house, since you and Francis both sit in the House of Commons every day?”
    “My committee work necessitates longer hours than Francis. I lease rooms close to Whitehall, but I visit Russell Square whenever I can.”
    “Then I shall expect to see you in Cavendish Square,” she said archly.
    Louisa sent Johnny a surreptitious look of horror that clearly told him to make no promises. He understood the look and hid his amusement.
    Abercorn saw the look that passed between them. Lord John and Lady Lu communicate without words. I envy him.
    “Louisa, are you going to entertain us with one of your spectacular Spanish dances tonight?” Johnny asked his favorite sister.
    Her mother jumped in immediately. It was a perfect opportunity for her daughter to display her talent and become the center of attention. “I’m sure we can prevail upon